Method of playing a modified chess game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a modified chess game wherein the general rules of play are the same as standard chess with the addition of a new rule providing a board which can shift horizontally and/or vertically, adding new possibilities and strategies to the orthodox game of chess.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This invention relates to board games and more particularly to a modified chess game.

2. State of the Art

The standard game of chess has been played and studied for quite some time and the attempts to modify or improve it have mainly been: adding additional pieces, more space, and more players. These modifications have shown to be far from improvements on chess. Instead of modifying more of the same, affecting chess only superficially, this modification is at the core of chess, adding a new dimension, bringing the standard game of chess into a new realm of thought and strategy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a creation of a modified chess game, preferably played upon a standard chess board, wherein the rows and/or columns of the board are separated and able to be moved in lieu of moving a piece.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   a) To create a new chess-like game using a standard chess board         wherein the rows and/or columns can be moved.     -   b) To expand the number of possibilities and enhance the amount         of thinking and strategizing involved in a standard game of         chess.     -   c) To disclose an improved variant of chess with a new element         of play and dimension of movement.     -   d) Competent chess players are able to learn this modification         quickly.     -   e) Further objects and advantages of this invention will become         apparent from a consideration of the drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Letters are used in the drawing to signify the pieces because the appearance of the pieces is not important, it is only necessary that the pieces be distinguishable from each other.

The following are the reference letters in the drawings (only a selected few of the pieces are used in the drawings, therefore they are the only ones covered in the following.)

-   -   B=Black Bishop     -   Kn=Black Knight     -   R=White Rook     -   K=White King

Reference letters that are encircled represent white pieces.

Arrows represent where a piece moves, with the arrowhead representing the space said moving piece stops on.

FIG. 1 is a view of an instance of a row of the board moved from its original position.

FIG. 2 is a view the black player controlling a row because more of said black player's pieces reside on said row.

FIG. 3 is a view of the farthest a row can be moved in relation to the original starting position of the board.

FIG. 4 is a view of a Knight and its ability to move over empty space created by the movement of rows and/or columns.

FIG. 5 is a view of a King and Rook, unmoved from their original position but with the instance of the kings row being moved, rendering castling no longer an option.

FIG. 6 is a view of a Bishop putting a King in check, rendering moving a row and/or column is no longer an option.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the formatted rule of the present modification of chess wherein a player can move a row in lieu of a piece. In this example row 2 has been moved from its normal position.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the black player controlling a row 8, according to the formatted rule of the present modification wherein a player is said to “control” a row when he/she has more of his/her pieces on said row. In this example there is a black bishop 3, black knight 4, and a white rook 5 on row 8. Therefore, the black player controls said row.

FIG. 3 illustrates the formatted rule of the present modification of chess wherein a row may be only moved with the limitation of four spaces past the original set of rows. In this example, row 9 demonstrates the maximum in which a row can be moved past the original set of rows 11.

FIG. 4 is an example of the formatted rule of the present modification of chess wherein a knight 4 may move 7 over empty space (space where there is not currently a row.)

FIG. 5 is an example of the formatted rule of the present modification of chess wherein a rook 5 and a king 6 may not perform a castle once the row 10 they reside on has been moved.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a king in check by a bishop, a situation wherein the player controlling the king does not have the option to move any rows of game board 1, according to one of the formatted rules of the present modification of chess.

Preferred Embodiment

The game board 1 can be made of a material such as: wood, plastic, marble, cardboard or any other suitable material. The mechanism allowing the rows and/or columns to move can be a system of tracks, wheels or any other workable system.

It is preferred that these new rules are applied to the standard game of chess, using the standard chess board and the standard chess pieces. Alternatively, these new rules may be applied to other versions of chess or other games.

It is also preferred that only the horizontal rows be separated and moveable. Alternatively, the only vertical columns can be separated and moveable. Alternatively, both horizontal rows and vertical columns can be separated and moveable.

The preferred regulations for the present modification of a chess game are using the orthodox method of playing a chess game in addition to the following rules:

-   -   1) A player may move a row in lieu of moving a piece.     -   2) Each row may be moved within the limitation of 4 spaces past         the original line of rows.     -   3) A player may only move a row if the player has more of         his/her pieces on said row and the player's king is not         currently in check.     -   4) If there are no pieces or an equal amount of each player's         pieces on a row it cannot be moved by either player.     -   5) A knight is the only piece that can move over empty space (a         row that isn't currently there).     -   6) Once the row containing the king has been moved, castling is         no longer possible.

Alternatively, the regulation for the present modification of a chess game can include:

-   -   1) Columns being moveable instead of rows or both columns and         rows being moveable.     -   2) A player moving a piece in addition to a row or column.     -   3) Only selected rows or columns being moveable and within a         predetermined limitation.     -   4) A player being able to move a row or column regardless of the         amount of pieces relative to the opponent.     -   5) A player being able to move a row even though his/her king is         in check.     -   6) A knight not being able to move over empty space.     -   7) A player being able to castle even if the row containing the         king is moved.

It is preferred that this modification of chess be played as a board game but alternatively, it may be played utilizing a computer.

This invention has been described in language more or less specific as to methodical features. The invention is not, however, limited to the specific features described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A method of playing a board game, comprising the steps of a) providing a game board comprised of a predetermined number of rows and columns of spaces, wherein said rows are separated from each other and moveable; b) providing each player a set of playing pieces; wherein each said set is visually distinguishable from the other and each said set comprises a predetermined number and predetermined types of playing pieces; c) initially positioning each player's said set of playing pieces in a predetermined position; e) formatting the rules of play wherein a player controls a row if more of said player's pieces are on said row; f) formatting the rules of movement for play wherein a player may move a row, in lieu of moving a piece, if said player controls said row.
 2. The method of playing a modified chess game as recited in claim 1, wherein the preferred number of rows and columns is the same as an orthodox chess board, the preferred sets and types of pieces are the same as provided in an orthodox chess game, the initial positioning of pieces is the same as in an orthodox chess game, and the rules movement as applied to each piece are the same as in an orthodox chess game; formatting the rules for play wherein a player may not move any of the rows if said player's king is in check.
 3. A method of playing a modified chess game, comprising the steps of: a) providing a game board comprised of a predetermined number of rows and columns of spaces, wherein said columns are separated from each other and moveable; b) providing each player a set of playing pieces; wherein each said set is visually distinguishable from the other and each said set comprises a predetermined number and predetermined types of playing pieces; c) initially positioning each player's said set of playing pieces in a predetermined position; e) formatting the rules of play wherein a player controls a column if more of said player's pieces are on said column; f) formatting the rules of movement for play wherein a player may move a column, in lieu of moving a piece, if said player controls said column.
 4. The method of playing a modified chess game as recited in claim 2, wherein the preferred number of rows and columns is the same as an orthodox chess board, the preferred sets and types of pieces are the same as provided in an orthodox chess game, the initial positioning of pieces is the same as in an orthodox chess game, and the rules movement as applied to each piece are the same as in an orthodox chess game; formatting the rules for play wherein a player may not move any of the columns if said player's king is in check.
 5. A method of playing a modified chess game, comprising the steps of: a) providing a game board comprised of a predetermined number of rows and columns of spaces, wherein said rows and columns are separated from each other and moveable; b) providing each player a set of playing pieces; wherein each said set is visually distinguishable from the other and each said set comprises a predetermined number and predetermined types of playing pieces; c) initially positioning each player's said set of playing pieces in a predetermined position; e) formatting the rules of play wherein a player controls a row if more of said player's pieces are on said row; f) formatting the rules of play wherein a player controls a column if more of said player's pieces are on said column; g) formatting the rules of movement for play wherein a player may move a row or column, in lieu of moving a piece, if said player controls said row or column.
 6. The method of playing a modified chess game as recited in claim 3, wherein the preferred number of rows and columns is the same as an orthodox chess board, the preferred sets and types of pieces are the same as provided in an orthodox chess game, the initial positioning of pieces is the same as in an orthodox chess game, and the rules movement as applied to each piece are the same as in an orthodox chess game; formatting the rules for play wherein a player may not move any of the rows or columns if said player's king is in check. 